Angelo Que punches ticket to next US PGA Tour event after Top 10 finish in CIMB Classic

In-form Angelo Que says the past three weeks has given him the confidence to believe that he can compete against the best of 'em. Photo from the Asian Tour

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - After a dream finish in the CIMB Classic on Sunday, the bonuses just keep coming for Filipino golfer Angelo Que.

Already richer by US$189,000 (P8.3 million) after his joint eighth finish that moved him up to No. 5 in the Asian Tour Order of Merit, Que also found out while wrapping up a two-under par 70 in the final round that the Top 10 feat earned him a ticket to the next US PGA Tour event.

"Actually I only found out on the last hole when I was talking to (flightmate) Cam Smith and I was telling him I just want to finish top 10, and he said, 'Well, you can get into the next event in the States,' and I'm like, 'Are you serious?" said Que, adding he is weighing the option.

"And as soon as we got in, that's what they said. It's so true. Now I have to let my wife know, so I guess I won't be home again."

The next US PGA Tour event is the $4M Sanderson Farms Championships in Mississippi, which has veteran Woody Austin leading the field mostly bereft of big names since it will be played on the same week as the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, China.

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Compatriot Tony Lascuna has a spot in the US$8.5 million Shanghai tournament.

However, the Mississippi event offers Que a bigger chance at a victory that can give the 35-year-old Filipino pro a two-year exemption on the lucrative US Tour.

Regardless of what he does next week, Que can savor another solid week at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, where he put together solid rounds of 67, 72, 69 and 70 to finish seven shots behind repeat winner Ryan Moore of the US.

"I'm very proud of myself, very happy. Everybody back home supported me. I have a lot of tweets and messages on Facebook. They were all behind me, and a few of my friends were here, as well. So very happy, very glad," said the former Philippine Open winner.

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"You know, I can't ask for more."

The joint eighth performance was the second Top 10 finish in three weeks for Que, who lost to Scott Hend in a playoff for the 2014 Hong Kong Open title in Fanling.

Asked what has changed over the past few weeks, Que said: "I think a little bit of everything. Driving, iron shots, short game, putting, and the way I was thinking on the course. For the first time probably in my life I'm the least nervous this week. I did still feel nervous a few holes, but I think I was pretty stable out there where I handled myself pretty good.

"I think I'm playing with a lot of confidence right now, trusting myself. It's always trust issues, you know. If you trust yourself more, I think you'll tend to do better."

More than anything else, the Filipino pro said he has gained over the past weeks the confidence that he can compete against the best of them.

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"I think I have a good chance of challenging people now. I was wondering what the difference is between those guys on top, between me and them. I think I know now. I've realized it, that you just need some good breaks, learn from other people, and just trust yourself," he said.

"I think that's the key, and I've been doing it the past few weeks, so hopefully it just keeps on going."